I’m sorry that it has taken me so long to address the incredibly sad health issue that Princess Kate is going through right now. I needed a bit of time me to gather my thoughts on the subject, outside of being horrified that this poor graceful woman has some form of cancer.

But today is actually the perfect time to discuss the situation, being that it’s right before Mother’s Day, (well, here in America, anyway,) and Kate is a wonderful mom to her three adorable children.

Princess Kate and the fam on their most recent outing together, which was on Christmas!

And just two weeks ago, Catherine and William celebrated their thirteenth wedding anniversary. So it’s nice that they’ve been on their supporters’ minds for something other than sadness lately.

I was in the middle of a bad cold when Kate’s plight was announced a little over a month ago. I was falling asleep on the couch while watching the NCAA basketball tournament when a “special report” broke into the telecast in the middle of the day. I never thought for one second that the newscaster was going to say the words, “Princess Kate has announced that she has cancer.” I sat right up, in shock, and then ran to find Mr. X to share the painful news with him.

My health has gotten all better since then; I just pray that Kate’s does, as well, and very soon.

Kate looking like a shell of herself, but still putting in the effort, on March 22, 2024, when she made her shocking cancer announcement.

I adore that girl. I’m still not over the fact that, when the royal brothers hosted that 2007 Concert For Diana, when Wills and Kate were broken-up, Kate didn’t get to sit with the princes. I was relieved when I saw that she got to at least attend with the rest of their pals, but I so wanted the couple to be seated together. So when they got back together shortly after that, and then engaged, the only person happier than yours truly was Kate herself!

Regular INAM readers may recall how into their Royal Wedding I was in April 2011. These are some of my thoughts that I shared about Princess Catherine on her wedding day back then:

“Kate is just perfect for this regal position. The royal family were very lucky to get her. And I’m afraid that she was the star of the day, by far, even though it was supposed to be about the Prince taking a bride to be the future Queen.”

“I loved her dress and her hair down and her perfect body. She looked like a Barbie doll, with her tiny waist and upper body.”

“I think that she actually gets prettier all the time.”

“She never even once had any superfluous movement during the entire ceremony, and only twice moved her hair back on the balcony around the time of the kiss. What a woman.”

“Kate looks great from all angles. She’s not gorgeous like a model, but she’s truly beautiful–like a breath of fresh air. She’s possibly the most beautiful bride in history, at least equal to Grace Kelly. And that’s saying something!”

“She’s one bride whose wedding had to far exceed her expectations from when she was a little girl, no matter how grand her imaginings were.”

Kate and Wills kissing on the balcony on their wedding day.

“As much as I loved it all, I do wish that William had turned around to watch Kate walk down the aisle. I’m assuming protocol said he couldn’t do that, but seeing it on TV will never be what seeing her walk in person would have been. [Note: At least one commentator said he did sneak a peek, for just a second, but it was when the camera was off him, so I don’t know how she made that assumption. But I’m really hoping it’s correct.]”

“And I also wish that they could have smiled and interacted more, but, by the way they appeared to be holding their smiles in, I have a feeling they were told not to smile more because that’s not really royal.”

“I can’t believe I’m such a sucker for romance that I actually loved that the happy couple shared two kisses with the public. And they were good ones, too!”

Back to 2024 now. My admiration of the Royal Princess has never waned. It’s actually even grown as she became a mother to one, two, and then three. I’m sure it doesn’t hurt that she’s so physically beautiful; if we fans could have designed a dream princess, Catherine is exactly what she would look like.

I hope that Princess Kate will be back to looking this happy and radiant really soon!

Outside of all that, it’s shameful that the poor woman had to share the sad and worrisome news with the world because some troll was about to leak it, and she very rightfully wanted the revelation to be on her terms. First of all, it’s absolutely none of our business. But much, much worse is that it’s not fair to her children. Who knows if Kate and William were going to tell them the truth, or when, but now they had no choice. Most other people in the world can shield their young charges from news like this; it’s a shonda that the Royals did not get that luxury.

So now I send my great thoughts and wishes to Kate for a full and quick recovery. Her children, husband, Royal Family, and actually the entire world, needs her kindness and classiness right now and forever.

I know I’m not alone in wishing for a speedy and easy recovery for the beloved Princess Kate.

I’ve wanted to write about Aaron Judge for about a month now, several weeks before he broke the American League single season Home Run Record with his sixty-second blast this past Tuesday, October 4. But, being a superstitious person, just this side of Rafa Nadal, I couldn’t even start the page. I’m so glad that I can now laud the guy in all his glory.

Actually, Aaron Judge’s entire season has been amazing even had he not achieved that record. (I’ll explain why in a second.) For those of you who don’t follow baseball, this is what happened. The American League record for home runs hit in a single season has stood for sixty-one years!!! It was set by Yankee slugger Roger Maris way back in 1961. (There are three higher totals in the National League, but those were all set by cheaters who were using performance-enhancing drugs at the time, so they have never counted to me or any fairness-minded peeps.)

So once Yankee Aaron Judge got on a tear earlier this season, the home-run-record-watch swung into high gear. Many analysts and commentators declared that Judge would smash it, but all said he would not only tie it, but pass it by at least one, thus having the record all to himself.

Aaron Judge hitting his record-breaking 62nd home run! Photo by Karen Salkin.

But as the season started winding-down, #60, record-tying #61, and the record-breaking #62 kept getting harder to come by. So, with time running-out fast, when Aaron stepped-up to the plate for his first at-bat in the very beginning of this season’s penultimate game on Tuesday, we fans, both of Aaron Judge and the game of baseball itself, were totally on edge. And then, on the third pitch, he did it! I think I speak for all fans when I say it was one of the most exciting things I’ve ever witnessed in my life!!! Not just in sports, but ever.

Aaron Judge appears to be one of the most humble sports stars you will ever see, but, with all that pressure on him, I feel it would have haunted him if he hadn’t broken Roger Maris’ record, even though he had tied him almost two weeks before the end of the regular season. (Which means “as opposed to the postseason,” for you non-sports fans who are good enough to read this article, anyway.) But his entire year has been amazing–he basically lapped the field in so many categories. This is one of baseball’s greatest offensive performances ever! (And I adore that his OPS is an Angel Number-1.111!) [Note: OPS means on-base plus slugging percentages.]

I believe Aaron ended-up first in every category but one in the American League, and he wound-up second in that one, which is batting average. If he had finished first in that one, as well, he would have earned the incredibly rare Triple Crown. But teams are so afraid of what he can do with a bat that they kept walking him! If you can’t bat, you can’t get your batting average up! Duh. But he seemed okay with that tactic of stopping him from beating them.

One baseball analyst said, “He is everything good about the game of baseball,” and that just about sums-up Aaron Judge. He’s a universally-loved superstar and ambassador of the sport, in every way. As a matter of fact, I think that Aaron Judge should be the logo for all of baseball, the way Jerry West is for the NBA.

Aaron is loved by fans, teammates, and the media alike. And from all the smiles and repartee I’ve always noticed when he gets on base, even his opposing players adore him!

Aaron Judge has been beloved since he first arrived on the MLB scene as a young Yankee. His name alone lends itself to all kinds of “judge-y” things—an area of Yankees Stadium is designated as “Judge’s Chambers,” people chant, “Here comes the judge,” every time he steps up to the plate, and rabid fans even show up in judges’ robes and white wigs!!! If they sit in the Judge’s Chambers, the team even provides those to the ones who want to play dress-up but don’t bring their own.

Aaron Judge (#99) flanked by his much smaller minders. (The person behind him is a photog.) Photo by Karen Salkin.

Now, as to his quest for his record-breaking 62nd home run this season, he’s been great about it. He was usually smiling and having a good time with his teammates. He made sure that even if he was really stressed about the situation himself, he didn’t pass the stress of that burden on to them. At their home stadium, he even signed autographs before the games, even though he just had to be worried about himself. What a guy. (The funny thing is that he had two “bodyguards” flanking him during those times, and at 6’7” and 282 pounds, he towered over them both! He could be guarding them!)

While I’m not as locked in to Aaron Judge as I am to, say, Roger Federer, The Stranger I Love Most, or perhaps even A-Rod, (I know, I know—but I cried all day when the Yankees forced him to retire in 2016,) I’ve always liked Aaron. (Of course—who hasn’t?!??!)  But I’ve been totally invested in his journey this season, and have felt for him at every at bat since the All-Star Game. So him first tying, then beating, Roger Maris’ long-time home run record was thrilling to watch.

On the personal side of Aaron Judge, perhaps his extreme class and dignity come from his parents, who were both teachers, (as were mine! Hey—it’s the only thing Aaron and I have in common—outside of our love for the Yankees–so please let me have it.)

And speaking of the Judges–I’m not saying this kiddingly at all—Aaron is a major case for adoption. He was adopted at just one day old, and the love that’s apparent between Aaron and especially his outwardly-calm mother has been a joy to see.

So, no matter what happens in the playoffs, (which I hope ends with a World Series victory for Aaron Judge and the Yanks, of course,) I thank the new Home Run King for making this year so exciting for us fans.

Now go get ‘em all, Aaron Judge!

Now that passover is over, let’s talk about a non-kosher deli. Actually, perhaps the best one ever.

We Angelenos all knew it was coming. But we were not prepared.

And we’re still unsure of the status of the seventy-five-year-old Beverly Hills staple Nate ’n Al. I’ll explain in a second, but here’s my latest YouTube video on what this supreme deli has meant to me over the years, and what I’ve gotten out of the experience, in more ways than one: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmF4hgmmg0w.

About a year ago, word started circulating in Beverly Hills and foodie circles that Nate ’n Al was closing. For good. So my friend and I went there after a movie matinee at the LA Jewish Film Festival because that event made him crave chicken soup and a knish! (It was actually Cinco de Mayo, and we were on the way to a Mexican food fete, but after seeing the film about Jewish food, he made the executive decision to deli it!)

Karen Salkin modeling her Nate ‘n Al’s mini-bagel necklace. She was also rockin’ the colors of the Mexican flag because that day  was Cinco de Mayo. Photo by Mr. X.

We had heard that Nate ’n Al would be closing at the end of 2019, and since this was May 5, 2019, we figured we had time to pay it at least one more visit after that one. But the waiter, (who was young and quite the opposite of the usual life-long waitresses who worked there,) gave us the happy news that the eatery would just be moving to a new location around the corner! And then he made me a mini-bagel necklace to celebrate! (It’s something they did for just kids, but, ya know. And I’m not saying if I still have it!)

So, the year went on, and then in the Fall, I told a very dear older woman friend of ours that Mr. X and I would take her to the original before it moved. Places like that are never the same when they change spaces. It’s never just the food—it’s also the ambiance. But guess what? She shockingly told me she’d now rather go to IHOP!!!

So, as the end of the year approached, I kept trying to make time to pay one last visit to what I consider to be the real Nate ’n Al. [Note: By the way, I, along with most of Los Angeles, have always erroneously called the place Nate ’n Al’s. With a final “s.” I honestly did not know the difference until I was choosing pictures for this article! And I even had featured its exterior in the opening credits of my TV show!!! I’m shocked that I missed the correct moniker for all these years! Nay—decades!]

What the place looked like when it first opened in 1945.

And then I heard that they postponed the move to this coming June. So, I figured there was no rush. And then I heard that they were closing down entirely, despite the new ownership consortium. I didn’t know what to believe.

And then, all of a sudden, in the middle of this social isolation, came word on March 28th that the deli was closing the very next day! And, as with all eateries right now, they were open for pick-up only, anyway. You can hear my whole story about what Mr. X and I carried on in my video right here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmF4hgmmg0w.

And, then, after all that, despite the ownership announcing the closure on their own Instagram page, they amended their statement, blaming the media for the incorrect “closing forever” perception! (Who do they think they are, blaming the media–Trump????)

And more recently.

This is what they wrote on their website, (without any capital letters and missing a few commas): “the media has incorrectly reported that nate’n al’s is ‘gone forever.’  as we originally stated, we couldn’t fully guarantee the safety of both our customers and employees for take-out and delivery during this pandemic we have chosen to cease that service. our current lease is expiring shortly and we have encountered major difficulties with the city of beverly hills who would have been our new landlord on canon drive. it is the intention of the current ownership to get through this crisis like every other restaurant and make the right decisions at the right time. our goal is to keep the nate’n al’s tradition alive.”

So, even though they are in great need of an editor for any future writings, there is still hope. And since nothing in this world is guaranteed at the moment, who knows that the future will bring, not only for Nate ’n Al, but for the entire world!

And let’s not forget the iconic interior.

So, for now, I thank Nate ’n Al for all the delicious meals, fun, and fabulous memories they’ve given me though the years. And tell them I look forward to continuing the relationship as soon as possible, for all of us.

Reminder: For what they’ve meant to me, with some stories I wish I had not told, here’s that link to my Youtube video about them again: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmF4hgmmg0w.

Happy Trails, Nate ’n Al. Till we meet again.

[Note: I’ll give you guys my thoughts on the Grammys in a day or two, but first something so much more important happened yesterday.]

Roger Federer has just won his twentieth Major tournament title! Even non-tennis and non-sports fans should understand what he accomplished this week-end. Not only is that a record in general, but he’s the only man in history to have achieved that great feat! (Three women have done it.) And in doing so, he also won his record-tying sixth Australian Open, and defended his first title since doing that in 2008!!!

Last year, when he won his fifth Aussie Open, and record (at the time) eighteenth overall, I just put my elation over that fact in a multi-faceted column along with the SAG Awards and Miss Universe! Shame on me for that.

So this year, old Rog is getting his own tribute from me on here.

There’s so much to say about The Stranger I Love Most, but I’m still a bit overwhelmed by it all. As surreal as it is for me, just imagine what Roger himself is going through!

I always wonder what he must be thinking out there on the court; he’s such a superior human being, in every way, that I just assume that he can’t possibly have the kind-of thoughts that I have as I watch him play. But, in one of his post-Championship interviews, he said that while he was playing the Final, he kept thinking things like, “Maybe I will win my twentieth,” and then, “It’s probably not going to happen,” and regular thoughts like that! When I’m watching him with my heart in my throat, I keep saying to the TV, “Just remember—you’re Roger Federer!’ And then I realize that he doesn’t need me to tell him that. But now perchance maybe he does. I can’t believe that even the Great One has his doubts and fears.

So, basically what happened is that he played the Final against one of his rivals in recent years, Croatia’s Marin Cilic, who’s also a nice guy. Roger has beaten him all but one important time, in a US Open semi-final a few years back, and Marin wound-up winning that whole tournament. (So we don’t have to feel so bad for him now—he at least has one Grand Slam title, which few men do, especially in the past two decades of Roger, Rafa, and Novak Djokovic.)

I watch every second of Wimbledon and the US Open, but, for some reason, I don’t watch any of the Aussie and French Opens. (I have to force myself to not watch sports every second of every day, year-round. So, I limit myself to just those two out of the four Majors.) But I check the progress of them every day, and keep my fingers crossed that Roger is moving along.

I would have loved to watch this important Final live, but I didn’t want to jinx Roger. I wouldn’t even let myself record it! But, as soon as I woke-up and found-out that he won, I quickly taped a re-run of the match. Actually, I recorded it on two different broadcasts! I didn’t want to miss a minute of it.

And thank goodness I did that because my heart could not have taken watching it live—it went the full five sets!!! How do their families and friends stand the tension?! And how do the players themselves do it?!

The best part to me was Roger’s speech during the trophy ceremony. I’ve never seen Roger cry that much.  But I still had him beat—I was hysterical, bordering on delirious. I had to drink a liter of water afterwards to replenish my fluids! (Yes, watching sports is like doing the work myself for me!)

I congratulate Roger Federer on his amazing accomplishment this week-end, and on his fabulous career, in general. And for once again giving us all, (except for the Cilic camp, of course,) another wonderful memory.

And from here on out, I do not want to hear any dissenting opinions on whether or not he is the GOAT! (The Greatest of All Time!) Roger Federer is, without even a scintilla of a doubt, exactly that!